State DHSS v. Okuley, et al.A private civil rights firm accepted a case from the Alaska Pro Bono Program to represent a class of disabled Alaskans after the Stated cut their disability benefits. The trial court ruled against the State ordering it to pay retroactive benefits to the class members. The trial court also awarded counsel fees to the civil rights firm. The State appeals claiming the fee award is not equitable and the court failed to independently evaluate and carefully scrutinize the common fund fee request.
